Mr Beattie said the allegation, over a council vote on the plan, left a smell hanging over the way business was conducted on the Coast.

Former Maroochy Shire Council deputy mayor Trevor Thompson dropped a bombshell this week when he said he was offered inducements to change his vote on the Brisbane Road project ahead of the last election.

Mr Thompson supported the carpark agreement, with Juniper Property Holdings, in a vote that was passed 7-6 in the weeks leading up to the 2004 poll.

He said that after the council agreed to proceed with the agreement, some high-profile residents had offered to assist in his election campaign - on the condition he changed his vote.

A Crime and Misconduct Commission spokeswoman confirmed yesterday the body had received a complaint about the allegation.

She said the matter had to be assessed before further action was taken.

"Anyone else with information on the issue (should) come forward,' she said.

Mr Beattie said there had to be honesty and accountability at all levels of government.

"I've done this with my own ministers,' Mr Beattie said.

"We've now got a former deputy mayor claiming he was offered a bribe to change his vote,' he said.

"There is now a smell over the way business is done on the Sunshine Coast.

"People can't just say, 'well that may have happened but forget about it'.

"That only encourages a culture of improper behaviour and people trying to buy influence, and if there's no basis to it then let that be established.'

Maroochy chief executive officer John Knaggs said he was gravely concerned about the allegations.

He said he referred the matter to the CMC early yesterday morning.

The member for Kawana, Steve #######, said Mr Thompson should name those who had allegedly offered him inducements.

"Trevor has to name names now because it casts aspersions on the entire Sunshine Coast business community,' he said.

Mr ####### said was delighted the CMC had agreed to fully investigate the carpark deal between Mr Juniper and the council.

He had asked them to do so in the past.

"I just want the truth to come out about this,' he said.

Former councillor Barbara Cansdell said she had also referred the carpark issue to the CMC, but nothing had come of it.

"The CMC has never wanted to come in and start digging on this,' she said.

"But I'm sure there are a lot of staff who no longer work for the council who would be prepared to open up.'